On the evening of September 5, 2024, the national football team will face Japan, the strongest team in the Asian zone of the 2026 World Qualification Tournament, on the road at the Saitama World Cup Stadium in Japan.
Japan, an exporter of players to many of Europe's great powers, has international stars such as Ezekiel Yamada, Takumi Minamino, and Hiroshi Endo in the squad, adding sparkle to the team. Their outstanding performances in the Euroleague have given the national team a lot of confidence. Japan's offense is fast, defense is solid, like a precision instrument, and the team has won six consecutive matches in this qualifying tournament.
The visiting Chinese men's soccer team, on the other hand, was praised for their fighting spirit and the brilliant play of their goalkeeper. Despite being ranked relatively low in the FIFA rankings (87), they have overcome obstacles time and time again with their tenacious defense and their determination not to be outdone by their opponents. Although the Chinese team is short of foreign players, and the absence of Wu Lei and Zhang Yuning has weakened their attacking power, they will surely focus on their defense and try to get a draw or even a close win at the least cost.
Historical head-to-head data suggests that Japan holds a clear advantage against China. However, this match may break the mold. Despite the fact that the market is generally in favor of Japan, defense is certainly the best way for China to win against such a strong opponent. There is reason to believe that this game will most likely turn into a dramatic battle of the titans.
Based on historical head-to-head data, Japan has shown great dominance against China. They have a 100% win rate and have managed to score in every game while conceding very few goals. Especially against the strong Syria and Iran, the shutout record highlights the team's solid defense and precise offensive organization. In contrast, the Chinese team was often on the defensive against Japan and conceded more goals.
China has conceded 5 goals in their last 5 matches against Japan, while Japan has conceded only 1 goal, which shows Japan's significant advantage in ball control and passing. However, the Chinese team has also shown excellent counter-attacking ability in certain matches and a will to fight that cannot be underestimated, and they are far from being just a passive side.
In terms of recent form, Japan's morale is high after consecutive big wins over their international rivals. China, on the other hand, has had mediocre performances against teams of comparable strength. While playing at home is an advantage for the Japanese, the Chinese are likely to capitalize on their familiarity and resilience to go undefeated. Therefore, despite Japan's clear advantage, a 1:1 or lower score draw cannot be ignored.
